Crime
HVAC worker found fake guns and bomb materials at Lake Meadows apartment in Chicago
A significant police presence was deployed to an apartment building at 533 East 33rd Place in Chicago’s Lake Meadows neighborhood on Monday morning, following reports of suspicious materials discovered by an HVAC contractor.
Melissa Carraway, an HVAC contractor servicing radiators in the building, stumbled upon a cache of concerning items in one of the units.
Among the items reported were materials resembling explosives, rifles, various forms of identification, chemicals, and insignia associated with the City of Chicago and public safety departments. Carraway recorded a video of the findings before contacting 911.
The unit allegedly belongs to a male tenant described as a Middle Eastern Muslim, though authorities have not confirmed the identity or released further details.
The discovery prompted an immediate response from multiple agencies, including the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Bomb Squad, SWAT, K-9 units, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Residents were evacuated as law enforcement secured and searched the building.
After several hours of investigation, CPD declared the scene “all clear” around 1:30 p.m., determining that the items posed no actual threat. The explosives and rifles were found to be non-functional or fake.
Authorities detained a male resident of the apartment, but he has not been formally charged. Records indicate the individual had a prior history with law enforcement. In 2022, he was fired from the Chicago Fire Department after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at the city’s fire academy. Following that incident, he was taken into custody after a standoff with CPD. Despite this, he was later employed by another city agency, where he remains employed as of today.
In addition to the fake explosives and rifles, investigators discovered identification badges, including City of Chicago and private security credentials, as well as insignias for Chicago police and fire departments. The items’ purpose or significance remains under investigation.
Residents were allowed back into the building after hours of evacuation. The discovery caused unease among tenants, particularly given recent incidents involving explosives nationwide.
Carraway expressed her alarm upon finding the items, stating, “You hear about bombings in places like New Orleans and Las Vegas, and it scared me. I called immediately to make sure this was handled properly.”
Law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the incident to determine the suspect’s connection to the materials and assess any potential threat.
Further details about the suspect’s identity and potential charges are expected to be released as the investigation unfolds. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.